1999-02-18 City of Beverly
Board of Cemetery Managers
Meeting Minutes: February 18, 1999
Present: Mr. Ward, Wood, Dunn and Searoans, and Ms Cotreau
Approve minutes of Previous meeting: Moved by Mr. Wood, second by Mr. Ward, Voted
unanimously
Review of events since last meeting:
Application by Mark Foster for recognition as representative of Lot 387, Sub-division 9
in Central Cemetery. No vote of record taken but after some discussion, the application
was tabled pending further documentation of applicant's claim.
Robert Bouton presented his Eagle Scout Project at North Beverly Cemetery. Alter some
procedural questions, the project was approved subject to the City' s receipt of evidence
of appropriate insurance coverage naming the City as coinsured.
Letter sent to area Funeral Directors.
Program of activity for Fiscal Year 2000: Discussion centered on the turf remediation of
Section 7 in Central Cemetery and Plan 14 in North Beverly Cemetery.
Presentation of account balances by John Dunn
Other Business:
1. Ms Cotreau raised the issue of limiting the number of graves any lot owner
could purchase. After discussion, it was moved by Mr. Dunn, second by Ms
Cotreau to limit lot purchases to eight graves unless otherwise approved by a
vote of the Board of Cemetery Managers.
2. Ms Cotreau discussed her efforts to find grants for use by the Board of
Managers
3. Granite Benches would cost about $600 each. Begs the question of where
these would be placed.
4. A discussion of dogs loose in cemeteries continues. Signs have been posted,
Mr. Searoans will ask the Police Chief and Animal Control Officer for stepped
up enforcement.
Adjournment at: 8:15
Next Meeting: March 10 at 5:30
EAGLE SCOUT
SERVICE PROJECT
WORKBOOK
Address 44 EL~x~4Og:n4 AV!~
Telephone number 978 9~,Z ~gZ4-
Unit number
Unit leader's name
_AAdress
Telephone number
District ~s-~rr Council YAkI~7~ CUpp~g-
PROJECT DESCRIPTION
Concept
Describe the project you plan to d~
What group will it benefit?
N.tme of ~digtous inatihation. school. or community
Addr~ Ooc~tton)
My project will be of benefit to the group because:
The concept was discussed with my unit leader on
I
Ci~ of B~erly
Engineering Department
'~'~LL~/~' (978)921-6000 e~t 402
~ 01915 (978~21~1 ~.
City of Beverly
Board of Cemetery Managers
191Cab~St~t
B~ffly, MA01915
978-921-6000
February 10, 1999
To: Beverly Area Funeral Directors
From: Peter Searoans, Commissioner of Cemeteries (pro tem)
Re: Cemetery Fees
In the interest of serving families at a most difficult time, the operation of municipal
cemeteries is based upon the informal, verbal communication between Funeral Directors
and the City. We proceed upon verbal instruction to perform services, which are paid at
the time of delivery. We do not have an accounts receivable system, and we do not want
to institute a written service order procedure.
The City' s fee structure has been developed to be fair and comparable to other municipal
cemeteries. However, prices are not negotiable without the approval of the City Council,
which could take several months to obtain. Accordingly, since services ordered are
performed to need, the payment for those services is the responsibility of the Funeral
Director placing the order. Any refund adjustment may be applied for through the Board
of Cemetery Managers who will forward them to the Council with their recommendation.
Finally, while our success results from open communications, A.T. lVLseisz and Ron
Malionek are contractors to the City and should receive their instructions from the City. If
you have an emergency requirement over weekends or after City Hall hours, feel free to
contact me at my home at:
44 Baker Ave
Beverly, MA 01915
978-927 'H56
978-815-7659 (cell)
If I cannot respond within 24 hours of the scheduled time of service, then make calls as
required to meet the need. Serving families well is our common goal.
PBS/s
1998 Pro~hm of Aetivity
The Board of Cemete~t Manageis is reviewing several initiatives for priodtization
and a~on this year. These initiatives are possible because heretofore the Board felt
constrained by the budget limitations inherent in a mney draining operation. This list is
probably not exhaustive, but it does provide insight into the things now possible for the
Beverly Cemetery System.
Trees: Substantial tree pruning and removal will take place this W'mter and
Spring. The Board envisions spending an equal mount each year for the ne~ct
two years. After removing all dead and dying trees, there will be a need for
- well selected and posifioned new trees in each of the three active cemeteries.
Our hope is to budget for new trees in cominE years. Last year, two families
came forward wishing to plant trees in Central Cemetery. These two trees have
added nicely to an otherwise barren section of the cemetery. We would like to
forrealize a program of tree donation for cemeteries through either direct
donation of trees or donations to a tree fund. Furflier work on this front is
required.
Benches: A suggestion has been made that the Cemetery Department install
benches in cemeteries for rest and quiet contemplation. These benches might
be coordinated with the trees planted as discussed above. We want to be
carerid that beaches are used appropriately and that they do not
loitering and "horse play". Again, the Board is exploring donations and
considering placement options.
Reclamation of overgrown areas: Several areas within our cemeteries, and
catairily around the perimeter of all eemeteries, have been silowed to grow
wild. aside from the obvious cosmetic harm, there may well be opportunities
for capacity e~ansion into some of these areas. At the least, cemeteries will
have a more cared for look if better kept. The board needs to define the areas
to be reclaimed, p~oritize the list and develop an action plan.
Fence rapsin. Fences surrounding the cemeteries need evaluation for structural
integrity, missing sections and routine maintemmee. At Central Cemetery, the
chain link fencing at the intersection of Hale and Lothrop Streets sets an
'"industrial" tone at an important focal point in the city. Fencing is incomplete
along Cabot Street at North Beverly and fences are bent at the Hart Street gate
to Beverly Farms Cemetery. These specific observations and others to be
developed with a fencing inventory will guide the Board of Cemetery
Managers direct the fence repair effort.
Remedialion of turf conditions: All Beverly Cemeteries are built on filled land.
Some of the material used appears to discourage healthy grass growth.
Additionally, W'mter grave backfill material was taken from the road salt-sand
mix available from the Public Works lot. These conditions are most appnre~t in
the newer, more frequently visited sections of our cemeteries which sets the
impression many get of the condition of the cemeteries. An appraisal of the tuff
is needed and an action plan developed. Among suggestions presented are
reseeding these newer areas, addition of lime and fertilizer, and installation of
sprinklers systems.
· aVO~r 3¥NOSV~3V
CITY OF BEVERLY
CEMETERY REVENUES AND EXPENDITURES
FISCAL YEARS 1995 - t999
1995 1996 1997 1998 1999
Actual Actual Actual Actual Budget
REVENUES
Cemetery Fees 68,645 59,714 62,156 68,329 75,000
X-Fer From Trust Fund 50,000 50,000 50,000 80,000 80,000
Total Revenues 118,645 109,714 112,156 148,329 155,000
EXPENDITURES
Personal Services 117,675 45,981 40,714 -
Purchase Services 23,529 23,494 35,241 107,154 108,500
Supplies 31,821 58,597 73,008 39,712 28,000
Total Expenditures 173,025 128,072 148,963 146,866 136,500
NOTE
Expenditures do not include services and supplies provided by other Public Services Departments,
the Engineering Department, the Treasurers/Collectors Office or any other City Department.